SpecialEffect

One of the UK's biggest and best-known gaming charities, SpecialEffect focuses its efforts on making video games more accessible to physically disabled players. This comes in many forms, including working with the person to develop controllers and setups that help with their specific needs.

Its biggest event is the One Special Day, where mobile and console game developers around the world pledge a share of their revenues earned during that day to SpecialEffect. Last year, the charity raised £446,000 in a single day through the initiative, and it's hoping to do even more this year.

How can I get involved?

If you'd rather just give them some money right now, there's also a JustGiving page already set up for the day where you can donate directly to the charity.

(RED)

(RED) focuses its efforts on eradicating AIDS and HIV using funds raised from products it partners with, so you get some fancy new tech while also helping to make a difference in the world.

You've probably seen them around before – they do a rather nifty (RED) iPhone in partnership with Apple, some of the proceeds of which go to helping the charity.

How can I get involved?

Buy stuff! If it's got the (RED) branding, then you know some of the money is going to the charity – as long as you're buying it new, that is. So, go grab that iPhone you've always wanted and help save a life while you're there.

If you can't afford a brand-new phone, (RED) regularly partner with the App Store and its developers to add IAPs which also raise money for the charity. Keep your eyes peeled for future partnerships.

War Child

War Child is a charity focused specifically on helping children who find themselves caught up in war or who are forced to become child soldiers, providing aid and education where it's needed.

The charity has been running for around 25 years, but in the past few years has turned its attention to video games to help raise even more money. This is largely through its War Child Armistice events, which sees developers adding peaceful items for purchase to their action-focused games.

How can I get involved?

War Child Armistice is an annual event, though 2018's dates have yet to be announced. Rest assured that they'll be showing up some time soon.

GamesAid

Not a charity per se, but rather an umbrella for raising money for other charities, GamesAid is a UK-based organisation which raises money throughout the year before dividing the funds between different charities it finds deserving.

It's mostly focused on working with the UK games industry to raise money, but that doesn't stop the average Joe from chipping in, and it's a safe bet for your money to be divided between multiple causes if you're not sure who to back.

How can I get involved?

If you want something in return, they also have an eBay page where you can buy games and memorabilia to add to your collection while still giving the charity some funds.

Girls Who Code

While it may not be making any immediate fixes to poorer areas of the world, Girls Who Code's goal is still admirable – it's closing the gender gap in technology by helping teach young girls and women how to code.

To do this, the charity is running clubs for girls to go and learn coding, as well as longer courses to help develop their skills and gain an insight into how the tech industry works from the inside.

How can I get involved?

Girls Who Code accept donations all year round, so if you want to give them so money right now, you can! Just head to their website, hit donate, and you're basically halfway there.

Special Stars Foundation

This is a special request from Deputy Editor Harry. Special Stars is a Hull-based charity looking to improve the lives of people with disabilities.

This includes subsidised physiotherapy, support groups, and advice sessions, as well as general social activities for children and adults.